We hypothesised that meniscal tears treated with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) together with a conventional suturing technique would show improved healing compared with those treated by a conventional suturing technique alone. In a controlled laboratory study 28 adult pigs (56 knees) underwent meniscal procedures after the creation of a radial incision to represent a tear. Group 1 (n = 9) had a radial meniscal tear which was left untreated. In group 2 (n = 19) the incision was repaired with sutures and fibrin glue and in group 3, the experimental group (n = 28), treatment was by MSCs, suturing and fibrin glue.

At eight weeks, macroscopic examination of group 1 showed no healing in any specimens. In group 2 no healing was found in 12 specimens and incomplete healing in seven. The experimental group 3 had 21 specimens with complete healing, five with incomplete healing and two with no healing. Between the experimental group and each of the control groups this difference was significant (p < 0.001).

The histological and macroscopic findings showed that the repair of meniscal tears in the avascular zone was significantly improved with MSCs, but that the mechanical properties of the healed menisci remained reduced.

Recurrent dislocation of peroneal tendons is uncommon and there are few reports of the long-term results after repair. The Singapore operation, first described in 1985, is an anatomical repair based on the Bankart-like lesion seen in the superior peroneal retinaculum.

We reviewed 21 patients after a mean follow-up of 9.3 years, and found no recurrence. Eighteen had good functional results and had returned to their previous levels of vocational and sports activities. The three fair results were due to painful scars or neuromas.